Why this is a Masterpiece

It is a masterpiece because it is the best example of work from the early Lanna period. Apart from being beautiful, it has a very original style. It is a genuine original Lanna-style image.

History of the Object

This Buddha image is one of the most famous images in Chiang Mai. It has been worshipped by the citizens of Chiang Mai over the years. It was created in the early Lanna Period. There is only one statue that is equal and it is still in Wat Phra Singh.

It is used for worship. This image of a seated Buddha displays the gesture of Subduing Mara. The fingers of the right hand point down to the earth, reflecting the scene in the life of the Lord Buddha when he conquered an army of demons, just before his Enlightenment. He points towards the Earth to symbolize the help of the Earth Goddess in his struggle. It is easily the most common representation of the Buddha in Thailand.

Acquisition

The statue belongs to Wat Phra Singh, one of the most famous temples in Chiang Mai. The Abbot of the temple gave it to the museum on the occasion of its opening in 1973 (Buddhist Year 2516) as a long-term loan.
See also CM 38-2516 and CM 635-2516